Pacers Rally as Tyrese Haliburton Stuns Cavaliers in Playoff Thriller

The NBA playoffs never fail to deliver drama, and this year’s Indiana Pacers versus Cleveland Cavaliers matchup is no exception. As fans watched in disbelief, Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers to a stunning comeback victory that has already become the stuff of legend. In one of the most exciting moments of the postseason so far, Haliburton seized the moment as only a true star can.

A Game That Will Be Remembered as a Classic

The Cavaliers seemed in control as they built a 20-point lead in the third quarter. Fans in Cleveland grew confident as Donovan Mitchell poured in buckets, finishing with a remarkable 48-point performance. Yet, as the clock ran down, it was Haliburton who flipped the script. According to Yahoo Sports, the Pacers were “on the verge of tying their second-round series” but instead pulled off a stunning 120-119 win, taking a 2-0 lead as the series heads to Indianapolis.

How Haliburton Took Over as the Leader

Haliburton’s heroics came in the game’s final moments. As described by The Athletic, he missed a crucial free throw with less than 12 seconds left, grabbed his own rebound, and calmly stepped back beyond the arc. With Cleveland’s defense closing in, Haliburton delivered a three-pointer as time nearly expired. This clutch shot stunned the home crowd and sent Pacers fans everywhere into celebration.

Haliburton finished the night with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. His late-game poise and determination shined as he became just the second player in the play-by-play era to hit multiple go-ahead field goals in the final two seconds during a single postseason. The other player to accomplish this is LeBron James, showing just how elite Haliburton’s feat was.

The Cavs Collapse as the Pacers Rise

Cleveland controlled the game for three quarters, but the fourth belonged to Indiana. As ESPN’s game summary details, six Pacers finished in double figures. It was a team effort as much as a display of individual brilliance. Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith each scored 23, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 19 from the bench. The Cavaliers, short-handed due to injuries, could not hold the lead as the Pacers surged late.

Despite his performance, Haliburton faced chants of “overrated” from the crowd, a reference to a recent player poll. After the game, he remarked, “Overrate that.” His confidence and composure lifted his team as they capitalized on crucial mistakes by Cleveland in the final minute.

What This Means as the Series Shifts to Indianapolis

With the Pacers now up 2-0, the pressure shifts squarely onto the Cavaliers as the series heads to Indiana. The Pacers will look to maintain their momentum as they chase an Eastern Conference Finals berth. As reported by Yahoo Sports, questions remain about Cleveland’s injured stars, but one thing is clear: momentum favors the Pacers.

Conclusion: Haliburton’s Brilliance as the Series Turns

As the playoffs continue, Haliburton’s performance will stand out as a defining moment. Game 3 promises even more drama as both teams adapt. For fans, this series is already a classic—one defined as much by resilience as by late-game heroics.

Don’t miss any NBA playoff action as the story continues to unfold. For the latest recaps and in-depth coverage, check out The Athletic’s detailed analysis and stay tuned as history is made on the court.